NYT/CBS Poll: Only 6% Of Americans Care About Prince William And Kate Middleton

by Frances Martel | 10:20 am, April 23rd, 2011

» 26 comments

In Democracy in America, French social historian Alexis de Tocqueville once wrote that America’s greatest strength was the total absence of nobility here. That was in the 19th century, when Americans were busy not caring about the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Now, of course, Americans are busy not caring about Prince William and his middle-class fiance Kate Middleton, though given the media coverage in this country, the extent to which Americans don’t care may surprise you.

According to the Atlantic Wire, a New York Times/CBS poll found that only six percent of Americans are following the wedding “very closely,” while 22% are following “somewhat closely.” This came as rather a surprise given the large amount of press the wedding is getting in America– just last night, Anderson Cooper received a crash course in royal etiquette and Greta van Susteren dedicated her hour to the young royal romance. Not surprisingly, the Times found that the majority within this minority that care are older women, and women in general were far more likely to say they are planning on watching the nuptials:

A third of women under 40 are following news of the wedding at least somewhat closely, as are more than 4 in 10 women who are 40 or older. In comparison, half of men are not following news of the wedding at all. “It’s their British thing; it’s their custom,” Edward Rakas, 57, of Colchester, Conn., said in a follow-up interview after the poll was completed. “I guess they enjoy it, but it’s just not something I’m interested in.”

While this dismissive apathy did not extend to any personal dislike of the royals statistically (well, except for Prince Charles), the Times gathered several comically apt quotes from respondents refusing to care, and especially not understanding why England is wasting it’s time. Among the best of those quotes was that from one Eric Zeff, who noted, “I think it’s a lot of hoopla, all that pomp and stuff… They did that for Charles and Diana, and see how their marriage turned out.”

Alexis de Tocqueville, Americans, Atlantic Wire, cbs, Kate Middleton, New York Times, Prince William, Princess Diana, royalty, things we don't care about, zzzzzz

The Lantern of Truth

Are they registered at Target ? There’s a ” Castle , Sweet Castle ” sign I think they could use .
Big Eddie

Will William’s buds tie a bunch of tin cans to the bumper of his jalopy ?
An Idea

What will Kate be wearing ???

I’m guessing a dress .
Utah Johnny Montana

How about the guest list ?

Is Al Sharpton on it ?
Where will Geraldo be sitting ?
Will Flavor Flav be in charge of keeping everything on time ?
Will the Chilean miners be seated together ?
Is there a telephone book for George Stephanopoulos to sit on ?
Cecelia

Well, count me in the “cares” group.

I think the wedding is historical and great fun!

I can’t wait to see the bridal gown!
The Lantern of Truth

Cecelia said:
I can’t wait to see the bridal gown!

RealRoyalKing gushes !!

OOH !!

This will be like the Superbowl for all of us down at the hair salon !!

Let me reiterate . OOH !!

Oh yes . I don’t care for Sarah Palin or her wretched ” family ” .
I need to point that out occasionally or my toupee blows off .
Cecelia

The Lantern of Truth said:
RealRoyalKing gushes !!

OOH !!

This will be like the Superbowl for all of us down at the hair salon !!

Let me reiterate . OOH !!

Oh yes . I don’t care for Sarah Palin or her wretched ” family ” .
I need to point that out occasionally or my toupee blows off .

Hey, you’ve got his “championing egalitarian principles while I show my true colors by calling you a dirty peasant” thing down, but don’t throw out the proud commoner with the faux elitist.

Some of us just love a gothic novel, anything wrong with that?
The Lantern of Truth

Cecelia said:
Some of us just love a gothic novel, anything wrong with that?

Nope . This wedding actually something nice and I hope it all goes well .

When my daughter was little , we went to my brother’s wedding . When the bride came down the aisle , my little one whispered to me ” It’s a princess ! ” . I get it .
Cecelia

The Lantern of Truth said:
my little one whispered to me ” It’s a princess ! ” . I get it .

YES, you do!
Probably NOT wrong

Utah Johnny Montana said:
How about the guest list ? Is Al Sharpton on it ?Where will Geraldo be sitting ?Will Flavor Flav be in charge of keeping everything on time ?Will the Chilean miners be seated together ?Is there a telephone book for George Stephanopoulos to sit on ?

Now thats funny, I don’t care who ya’ are!
With apologies to Larry :=)
Probably NOT wrong

RRK may be there in his “assless chaps”
Sorry writer, I still can’t get that tune OR vision out
of my head! lol
The Real Royal Queen

Probably NOT wrong said:
RRK may be there in his “assless chaps”

Mmmm..I love it when my KingyPoo wears the “assless chaps”.
printbrat

Only 6% Of Americans Care About Prince William And Kate Middleton? That can not be right.
Americans loved Princess Diana and have an indescribable loyalty to her memory. I guess we’ll have to wait for the ratings to confirm; but I have a feeling the live stream of this Royal Wedding is going to be HUGE.
black and WHITE

Maybe because we’re living under an oppressive regime ( Obama ) in this country at the present time, whose taught his minions to hate everyone who’s got more than you. What do you think? Remember Princess Diana’s wedding? Couldn’t get enough of that, but now her son getting married is a bust. Pathetic.
J Baustian

Quote: “Anderson Cooper received a crash course in royal etiquette…”

The main thing is, under no circumstances should you do what Barack Obama did when he met the Queen. It is considered in poor taste to drop trou, squat, and present the Queen with a fresh steaming turd.

This insult might be the reason why no Americans are on the guest list.
CAINtheBULL

Sounds like some of “The View” or Oprah crowd will watch this. The rest of us will just keep going with their lives.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Dronetek-Bulk-Vanderhuge/100000918732763 Dronetek

Cecelia said:
Well, count me in the “cares” group.

I think the wedding is historical and great fun!

I can’t wait to see the bridal gown!

Ugh, this sort of attitude churns my stomach.
Karol

Dronetek: I care about the wedding but I don’t care if your stomach churns.
England is one of our premier allies and their traditions, different from ours, are interesting. I wish only the best for this young couple in these turbulent times.
Harry Flashman

OOPS!

I see from the official list that Obama isn’t invited. I wonder why that is? Maybe his invitation got lost in the mail. Or maybe he should have kept that bust of Churchill.

Heh. Another slap for the Child Who Would Be King.
seek

Isn’t it nice that we have “choices”? Those that want to watch will, and those that don’t, have to ability to turn the channel. What a wonderful world we live in!

I will watch. She is a lovely girl and the Prince seems to be completely smitten with her. I want to see the pomp and pageantry (and very curious about the dress).

As for the ‘sour’ grapes – just because you didn’t get an invite, you don’t have to throw a tantrum!
http://endisfar.com theendisfar

Harry Flashman said:
I see from the official list that Obama isn’t invited. I wonder why that is?

Because he’s a low life socialist agitator? Because he will raise a toast to himself? Because security requires a Birth Certificate? Because his teleprompter had a previous engagement? Because a fundraiser is scheduled for the same weekend?

Because he comes from the 7th planet, and that is my final answer!
eingriff

Well, I wouldn’t care, but they’re both cousins. Both of William’s parents are distant cousins of mine (and of one another). I’m no known relation to Prince Harry’s father.
black and WHITE

Wow 6%. What a cowinkydink. The ‘ same ‘ number of people in this country that actualiy care if Obama wins a second term.
rubberneck

In other news 94% of americans have a life…
ordinary

Royalty is un-American.
X-3

I wish William and Kate a long and happy life together. Just because it’s an event in another country doesn’t mean we should not be magnanamous and human.